Feeling Alone? This Is What God Wants You to Know Right Now

Beautiful and Sad: The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted

My dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings are beautiful and, if this is possible, beautiful and sad.

The main theme comes from the responsorial psalm: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

In the first reading, the Lord is a God of justice who shows no favorites. Yet the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

What does it mean to be brokenhearted? Across all three readings, there is a common theme.

Loneliness

First, to be brokenhearted is to feel alone.

“At my first defense, no one appeared on my behalf; everyone deserted me.” That is St. Paul. In the first reading you have the orphan and the widow.

They turn to God, because loneliness is not simply being in an empty room. Loneliness is when you cannot express what you feel, when the words you carry cannot be said. When you cannot share what is on your mind and in your heart, you feel alone.

Thank God for prayer. That is why the Lord says, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. There is Someone who listens to you.

If you find yourself in a position to help someone, do it. You may have been sent by God to answer someone’s prayer.

St. Paul in Prison: The Value of Life

In the second reading, from St. Paul’s letter written in prison, he has been deserted.

If you want to know the value of life, go to three places. The hospital, where you may be alone, in pain, or afraid. The prison, where you are trapped and lose your freedom. And the cemetery, where the ground you once walked becomes your roof.

Notice how St. Paul handles his loneliness: “Everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me.”

Prayer, Confession, and Freedom from Resentment

Prayer is essential. If you cannot surround yourself with good people, prayer is your lifeline.

If you cannot share what is on your mind or in your heart with anyone, go to confession. Say anything that is on your mind and in your heart. You will not be judged. You will be loved.

You are not alone.

Look at this: “May it not be held against them.” He holds no resentment. Faith frees you from resentment.

I was a resentful kid when my parents were going through their divorce. The anger, the yelling, the screaming felt constant.

A priest told me, Alphonse, write a letter to all the people who have hurt you, and then burn them. I said, And what do I do with the letters? That was a joke. I was ready to throw people off a cliff, to throw them in the fire.

Do Not Give Up: The Beautiful Day After

I once heard the CEO of Alibaba say something that applies to starting a business, falling in love, and living the faith. “Today is difficult. Tomorrow will be even more difficult. The next day will be beautiful. Most people die tomorrow night.”

What does that mean? Most people give up before they see the beautiful day. Do not give up. Faith and hope come from God.

When my father passed away, I found a diary he had taken from my room. He kept everything. In the safe were letters I had written as a child, filled with sadness and depression.

Thank God I did not give up. I waited for the day after. That strength comes from God. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Do not resign yourself.

Comparison Steals Joy

Finally, in today’s Gospel, a broken heart also means constantly comparing yourself with others. You will never know joy if you keep comparing, trying to impress, and seeking others’ esteem.

The greatest challenge you will face is yourself. I am not saying do not give your best.

Carl Jung wrote that a privileged life is the opportunity to realize who you truly are, not someone else.

The challenge is not to be like everyone else. It is to become the person you are. Jung, raised as a Protestant, left the faith but had tremendous respect for Catholicism because the Church looks at the whole person: mind, body, and soul.

We can complete his sentence. The privileged life is to realize who you truly are. And who are you? An image and likeness of God.

Your greatest challenge is to conquer your fears: failure, letting people down, being hurt, and the constant urge to please others.

Humility Exalted

In the Gospel, the man who could not even look up to heaven said, Lord, I am not worthy to be here today. Everyone who says that is noticed and lifted up. Whoever is humble will be exalted.

When you acknowledge that you cannot do it all by yourself, when you refuse loneliness and do not run away from people, you begin to discover who you are. Never resign yourself. Keep striving to be the person God created you to be.

Amen?

Amen.